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And I Think It's Gonna Be A Long, Long Time: Animated Rocketeer Short Film Will Be The Best Part Of Your Day

By TK | Posted Under Videos | Comments (10)

rocketeer1.jpg

The Rocketeer is one of cinema’s great stumbles. Not that it’s a bad film, mind you. It’s actually an incredibly fun film, a heartfelt little piece of Americana mixed blended into a comic book movie. It’s got a stellar cast — Billy Campbell, Jennifer Connelly, Paul Sorvino, Terry O’Quinn, Alan Arkin and a delightfully villanous Timothy Dalton. Its effects are simple but effective, and it’s got a good dose of cleverness to it. It’s a movie I’m happy to blow a Sunday afternoon on when it comes on a random cable channel.

Frankly, it gives me a little more hope for Captain America, which is also directed by Joe Johnston.

But it absolutely bombed at the box office, and the critical reviews were pretty unkind. It’s gotten a second life via DVD, and has achieved a bit of a cult status as well. Sadly, the comic’s original creator, Dave Stevens, died back in 2008. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the film, and animator John Banana created this adorable little Pixar-esque film as an homage to the film and to Stevens. It’s way too short, but it’s quite fun.

The Rocketeer 20th anniversary from John Banana on Vimeo.

See, wasn’t that worth your time?









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Comments

Aww. Loved the rocketeer. My little brother was obsessed with that movie, and made his own jetpack out of cardboard and his helmet was an apple basket with holes cut in it. A good solid film.

Posted by: linny at June 28, 2011 10:38 AM

Elton John references now?

Who are you and what have you done with TK?

Posted by: PaddyDog at June 28, 2011 10:39 AM

Yes indeed what's up with this kinder, gentler TK?

Maybe he got laid?

Posted by: logan at June 28, 2011 1:14 PM

Aww. That was so good. Thanks man.

Posted by: AmbroseKalifornia at June 28, 2011 1:36 PM

adorable little Pixar-esque film as an homage to the film

Pixar. The Rocketeer.

That would be PERFECT!!

Posted by: Fredo at June 28, 2011 2:33 PM

Damn it. YES. YES, that was worth my time.

Posted by: junierizzle at June 28, 2011 2:37 PM

Loved the movie. 30s-era high tech.

Posted by: The Wanderer at June 28, 2011 3:08 PM

Dave Stevens is my all time favorite comic book illustrator. I'm an avid collector of his work, comic books and prints, the "real" ones too, not just his comic illustrations, which I do have my fair share of.

He's one of my main childhood inspirations for pursuing art. To the point of insisting on minoring in it in college. As a huge, HUGE, fan of the Rocketeer comic, I was slightly underwhelmed by the movie adaptation at the time. I mean, I personally really enjoyed it, but I didn't think it really was a movie I could recommend. Especially after I read the almost universal scathing reviews and saw it's poor box-office performance. I thought, "Well, I liked it but maybe I'm wrong." I did however think it was movie that would appeal to kids. I recommended it to parents because it completely emberaces the fact that it is a comic-book movie. No need for gritty realism. Like a toned-down Raiders of the Lost Ark, made with a child-like optimism, it just went for escapist, almost cartoon-like fun.

I only mention it because, apart from the pre-conceived fandom aspect, that is exactly how I feel about Green Lantern.

Posted by: Darth Darko at June 28, 2011 5:22 PM

I still love The Rocketeer. In fact, I don't think Jennifer Connelly has ever looked better than she did in that film... and while it flopped I'm proud to say I saw it in the box office and still love it today.

And on a side note? Saw Green Lantern the other day and loved it. Would I have done it differently? Yes. Do I have little niggles about the casting of Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively? Yes.
Did I enjoy it? Immensely. It could have been an hour longer and I would have been happier, but I say that about 2/3 of the films I see.

Why did I love it? The LITTLE details. I'm willing to overlook what could be glaring flaws if there are enough little touches to delight me. Carol Ferris' callsign as a pilot, the appearance of some of my favourite lanterns in the background (was that Rot Lop Fan?) and most especially Sinestro of Korugar (who was fantastic).

Posted by: Wintermute at June 28, 2011 8:37 PM

TK bringing us something enjoyable? My world is shattered. I need to rest my brain meat.

Posted by: Uriah Creep at June 28, 2011 8:39 PM